Israel closes Ibrahimi Mosque to Muslims but allows settlers

The Israeli army closed the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron, a city south of the West Bank, on Saturday to all Muslims, Andalou Agency reported. 

The mosque director, Sheikh Hafthi Abu Sneineh told the Turkish state-run news agency that the Israeli army only allowed Jewish settlers to visit the site for the Chayei Sarah occasion.

"The mosque has been closed since 3 pm. on Friday and will remain closed until 10 pm. Saturday," said Abu Sneineh.

The Israeli army closes off the Mosque for Muslims during Jewish holidays, which also prevents them from accessing the courtyards. 

In September, the Ibrahimi Mosque was closed by Israeli authorities during the Jewish New Year, where the decision was condemned by Palestinian officials, who judged the move to be an attack on basic human rights. 

"A flagrant affront to the feelings of Arabs and Muslims, a grave breach of the freedom of worship and a blatant violation of international human rights charters and conventions," Ahmad Tamimi, head of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation's human rights department said.

The Old City of Hebron, in which the Ibrahimi Mosque is located, was deemed a World Heritage Site in 2017 by UNESCO.

Hebron’s Ibrahimi Mosque is believed to be the burial site of the prophets Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and where both Muslims and Jews worship.

In 1994, Palestinians were praying at the mosque when a gruesome mass shooting believed to be planned by Jewish settlers killed 29 worshippers and injured many others in what became known as the Ibrahimi Mosque massacre.